Tiger Poached in Nagpur’s Khapa Forest Range, Body Parts Missing
Nagpur, India: A male tiger, estimated to be around 3 to 3.5 years old, was found dead in the Bhangaala Nala area of Sironji within the Khapa Forest Range on March 14. Locals discovered the carcass and immediately alerted forest officials. Upon investigation, authorities found that the tiger’s paws, whiskers, and teeth had been removed, confirming it as a case of poaching.
Preliminary findings suggest that poachers used an electric trap connected to an 11kV power line, along with iron wires and bamboo stakes, to kill the tiger. To aid in the investigation, officials from the Pench Tiger Reserve deployed a dog squad to track possible leads.
Veterinary experts conducted a post-mortem following National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) guidelines, and viscera samples were collected for forensic analysis. Authorities are now examining past wildlife crime records and other evidence to identify the culprits.
The investigation is being closely monitored by senior forest officials, including Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr Bharat Singh Hada. Local police, including officers from Khapa Police Station and Nagpur Rural Division, are also assisting in the case. Efforts are underway to trace the poachers and strengthen measures against such crimes in the region.
This incident highlights the ongoing threat to tigers in the area. Reports indicate that over 100 tigers have been poached in the past five years by organised gangs linked to international smuggling networks. Just six months ago, Khapa forest officials arrested a poacher who was caught setting up live electric wires to trap wild animals in Kormeta village. These cases underline the urgent need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and enhanced anti-poaching measures.
